7/22/08 DISC: KS

[Mike Smith]

A strong downburst struck northern Sedgwick County Kansas north of Wichita this evening at about 6:45pm. The storm blew three semi-trailers off Interstate 135 and tremendous amounts of hail between about 100th St. north and 125th north. There are unofficial estimates of 70-80 mph winds along I-135. Winds were clocked at 60+ mph in Valley Center. Power was knocked out to the area, trees stripped. At 10pm, the hail depth was still 4 inches in the area even though temperatures were in the upper 90's this afternoon.

Until a few minutes ago I-135 was closed. One northbound lane is now open. The southbound lanes are still closed.

 

[Matt Hughes]

Wow Mike,I hadn't heard about the amount of hail that fell with this storm. I live in Valley and you could definitely see the hail shaft looking in that direction but there were only a couple of pea-sized stones here. The downburst winds were impressive though. For about 20-30 minutes the winds were sustained at around 40mph with gusts to at least 65mph but I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few a little higher. Were the clocked 60mph winds from the KSN weatherlab? I live about 3 miles closer to where the storm was.

 

[Mike Smith]

Matt,

These are LSR's from the NWS:

0650 PM TSTM WND DMG 2 NE VALLEY CENTER 37.86N 97.35W
07/22/2008 SEDGWICK KS EMERGENCY MNGR

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED POWER LINES KNOCKED DOWN NEAR 101ST AND BROADWAY.


0653 PM TSTM WND DMG 3 NE VALLEY CENTER 37.87N 97.33W
07/22/2008 SEDGWICK KS PUBLIC

SEMI BLOWN OFF THE ROAD NEAR 101ST STREET ON I-135


0653 PM TSTM WND GST 1 NNW VALLEY CENTER 37.85N 97.38W
07/22/2008 E65.00 MPH SEDGWICK KS TRAINED SPOTTER


Here is a delayed LSR from the ICT NWS:

0645 PM HAIL 3 NE VALLEY CENTER 37.87N 97.33W
07/22/2008 E1.00 INCH SEDGWICK KS EMERGENCY MNGR

*** 2 INJ *** QUARTER SIZED HAIL SHATTERED WINDOWS OF
CARS ALONG INTERSATE 135 AT 101ST STREET NORTH. 2
CHILDREN HAD MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES FROM FLYING GLASS AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. DELAYED REPORT.


According to kansas.com (Wichita Eagle's web site), there were four semi's blown over. There is a photo of storm victims standing near the road with hail on the ground.

 

[Mike Smith]

Report from ICT NWS:

www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=ict&storyid=16922&source=0